Rechargeable pencil



C. F. DOEBLER RECHARGEABLE PENCIL Aug. 6, 1929.

Original Filed June 50 .Ina

Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. DOEBLER, OF AUSTlN. TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO PERFECT POINT PENCIL COR- PORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

RECHARGEABLE PENCIL.

Application filed June 30, 1921, Serial No. 451,466. Renewedioctober 20, 1928.

This invention relates to pencils. More speciiically it relates to pencils et the type in which the lead or other crayon may be led or forced from the body oi the pencil.

One ol the principal objects to provide a simple though reliable feed mechanism.

Another object is to provide a pencil whose center oi gravity is advantageously located. Other objects and advantages will appear as the invention is hereinafter disclosed.

Referring to the drawin which illustrate what I now consider preferred forms` ot the invention,

Figure 1 is an elevation of a pencil embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the pencil shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illus trating a modification. y

Referring to Figs. 1 and it will be seen that the pencil there illustrated eon'iprises a tubular body portion 10, externally threaded at its upper end to receive a cap 11, and provided at its lower end with a tip-receiving bushing 12. The latter is shown in the form of an internally-threaded inverted cup whose external dimension is such that a tight [it between the casing and bushing is effected. It necessary or desirable the bushin 12 may be soldered, brazed, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the casing 10. A. conical tip member 13 is provided with an externallythreaded reduced portion 1/1 adapted to screw into the internally-threaded bushing 12. The tip 13 is provided with an internal bore 'which is shown cylindrical above and conical below the line X-X, said bore being adapted to receive a cartridge of substantially the same exterior configuration as the bore of the tip 13. The cartridge 15 comprises a sheath and a lead or other `crayon slidably mounted therein. The sheath is preferal'ily constructed of wood, although other suitable ma terial may be employed, and its bore is of such design with respect to the diameter of the crayon that the crayon will not slip trom its sheath except when propelled by a follower rod as will hereinafter be more fully ere plained. In short, the cartridge is ot the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 456,587. The upper end of the cartridge is preferably provided with a conical depression 17 adapt-ed to receive or torni a seat for a conical boss 18 struck from the eupshaped lfu'ishing 12. The boss 1S is provided with a hole through which a follower rod 19 adapted to pass into the bore of. the cartridge, the conical boss serving to guide the entrance of the rod into the bore of the cartridge. It will be apparent that move-l ment of the rod 19 downwardly; i. e., toward the tip ol? the pencil, will cause the crayon 16 to :feed trom the pencil and that movement of the rod in the opposite direction will permit the crayon to be forced hack into the pencil. While various forms of mechanism may be employed for actuating the follower rod 19, the :form shown in Fig. 2 possesses marked advantages over those heretofore employed. This forni may be constructed substantially as follows: y

The rod '19 is provided at its upper end with an externally-threaded collar 20 which is longitudinally movable but constrained against rotation, the longitudinal movement being etli'ected by means of an internallythreaded member 21. The rod 19 is provided with a right-angle-torming `extension 21 adapted to enter aradial hole in the wall of the collar 20. The latter is internally bored to slide on a guide tube 22, secured to the casing 10 by means oit a flange 23, the tube 22 being longitudinally slotted at 24 to permit longitudinal travel of the rod extension 21 and to prevent rotary movement of said rod and collar 20 with respect to the casing 10. The rod 19 is provided with a bushing 25 which fits the rod tightly but is of such external diameter as to travel freely in the tube 22 which guides its movement. It will be noted that the upper end of the bushing 25 is slotted to receive the rod extension 21. The parts 19.` 2O and 25 may be assembled as follows. The end 21 is inserted intothe radial opening in the collar 20. The bushing is then forcedup on the rod 19 until it assumes the position, with respect to the rod, illustrated in Fig. 2. The collar 20 may then be mounted on the tube 22,` the bushing 25 entering the bore of the latter. y

The n'ieml er 21 lis rotatable in the casing 10 hut is constrained against longitudinal movenient with respect thereto by means of the flange ot the cap member 11, against which one end of said member 21 abats, and the upper edge ot the ii ange 23 against which the other end of said member ahuts. As previously stated, the member 21 isinternallybeing secured to the sleeve 21, also serves to limit the travel of the screw to prevent its disengagement from the tube 22 in the normal operation of the pencils y For rot-ating the member 21 I provide a sleeve 31, the lower, reduced portion of which engages the interior of the member 21 with a friction fit so that rotation of the member 31 with respect to the casing 10 will cause rotation of the member 21. While not indispensable, I prefer to provide an ornamental head or knob 32 adapted frictionally to engage the upper, or enlarged, end of sleeve 31 whereby the latter and the member 21 may be rotated by turning the head 32. A rubber or other eraser 33 is shown mounted in the lower end of the sleeve 31. The eraser is rendered available for use by removing the head 32 and sleeve l31 from the member 21. It willalso be noted that the cap member 11 has integrally secured thereto a garmentreceiving clip 35 for the usual purpose. The assembly of the parts of the pencil will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, in view of the foregoing disclosure. Its

,y operation may be described as follows.

Y. and member 21 to'eause the collar 20 and the i 4`rod,19f to move downwardly. TheV crayon 16 If '(with the arts in the position illustrated in Fig. 2) itis desired to feed the crayon 16 from the pencil the head 32 is turned in the. proper direction to rotate the sleeve 31 is thereby forced from the bore of its sheath. Rotation of the head 32 in the opposite direction will causethe follower rod 19 to move rlongitudinally in the opposite direction.

When a crayon 16 has been completely consumed, the pencil maybe recharged by unscrewng the tip 13 from the casing, removing the usedcartridge 15, inserting a fresh car- `tridge 15, rotating the head 32 to cause the rod 19'to reach its upper limit of travel, and

screwing the cartridge-holding tip 13 into the bushing 12.

It will be noted that the upper portion of the member 21 may be employed for veo extra-crayon storage. And among other advantages itwill be noted that I have provided a pencil in which the center of gravity is much nearer the tip than is the case ofthe y, more'or'less top-heavy pencils now on the lmarket. Fatigue'in writing is thereby minimized.r The device is comparatively simple, easy to manufacture and assemble, and durable though of light weight. It is, of course,

susceptible to modification. For example, the eraser 33 may be mounted in the upper part of the sleeve 31 (see Fig. 3) and rendered accessible by removing the head 32 from the sleeve 31. Or, the feed mechanism may be modified, one modification being illustrated in Fig. 3.

lIhe majority of the elements shown in Fig. 3 will immediately be recognized in view of their similarity to those illust-rated in Fig. 2, the same reference numerals being employed for corresponding parts. The threads on the member 21 are dispensed with and the member made in the form of a plain cylindrical tube. A helix 50 of comparatively stiff wire is provided with a bent-up end 51 which enters an opening in the base of the cup 30, thereby forming a connection between the member 21 and helix so that rotation of the member 21 with respect to the casing 10 will Cause similar rotation of the helix. The latter co-operates with the threads on the collar 2() so that rotation of the helix causes longitudinal movement of the collar and the follower rod 19. The operation of the modified form of invention is otherwise the same as that of the form shown in Fig. 2.

Other modifications .within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims, will occur to those skilled in the art. To avoid surplusage I have not attempted to illustrate herein such further modifications.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a pencil, the combination with a easing, of a rotatable head at one end thereof, a closure at the other end provided with a central opening, and a propelling mechanism in said casing comprising: a guide tube, means independent of said closure for holding said tube stationary, a follower rod movable longitudinally in said tube, means for guiding one end of said rod into said opening, an externally threaded collar secured to said rod and mounted on said tube for longitudinal movement thereon, means preventing rotation of said collar relatively to said tube, and a member surrounding said tulie rotatable with said head and adapted to operatively engage said collar.

2. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a rotatable head at one end thereof, a tip at the other end, a cartridge in said tip provided with an axial bore, and a propelling mechanism comprising: a stationary guide tube, a follower rod movable longitudinally in said tube, meansfor guiding said rod in said tube, which means comprise a bushing at one end of said rod slidably fitting into said tubeand means for guiding the other end of said rod into said axial bore, a collar secured to said rod and mounted on said tube for longitudinal movement relatively thereto, external threads on said collar, means preventing rotation of said collar relatively to said tube, and a threaded member surl, ltl

rounding said tube rotatable with lsaid head and adapted to engage the threads et said eollar.

3. In a peneil, the combination with a eueing, of a rotatable head at one end tbereot, a detachable tip at the other end, a removable cartridge :in `said tip provided with an axial bore, and a propelling meelianifun in said easing Comprising: a guide tube secured to said easing, a il'ollower rod movable lougritu dinally in said tube, means :tor guiding said rod in Said tube, which means comprise a bushing near one end oi said rod alidably titting into said tube and means iter guiding4 the other end of said rod into Said axial bore, a collar secured to said rod and mounted on said tube for longitudinal movenieut relatively thereto, external threads on Said eollar, means preventing rotation ot said collar relatively to said tube, means limiting the longitudinal movement of said eollar, a menu ber adapted to engage the tlireade ot unid, eollar, and means eonneeting Said member to said head to be rotated thereby.

4. In a pencil, the Combination with a eea ing, ol' a rotatable head at one oud thereoit, a Closure at the other end provided with a eentral opening, and a propelliirna mechanism iu Said easing' ooinprisinff: a guide tube haringl a longitudinal slot, means iudepeiulent ol said closure to hold said tube stationary, a follower rod in said tube, means tor ruidin one end of said rod into said opening, an efe ternally threaded collar on said tube mount ed for longitudinal movementthereon, an eX tension of said ro-d secured to said eollar and Slidable in Said Slot, a epirally eoii'riugated member Surroundingl said `tube and adapted to operatively engage Said eollar, means eonneetinp,F said Corrugated member to eaid rotatable head to be rotated thereby, and means i'or preventing longitudinal niloveineut of said corrugated member.

5. In a pencil, the combination with a eas;` ing, of a rotatable head at one end tliereot, abushing fitted into the other end of said caeing, a propelling mechanism operated by Said rotatable head and eompriaingr a tol-- lower rod as one of its elemente, a eonieal seat in said bushing' provided with a central. opening for guiding one en-d of Said rod into said opening, and means disposed between said head and Said bushing `for eeeuring sa id propelling mechanism in said easing.

(5. In a pencil,v the combination with a eine ing, of a rotatable head at one end thereof, a bushing,` fitted into the other end ot said easing,` adapted to receive a tip provided with an axial bore, a eonieal Seat in Said buehinir having a central opening` regiatering with said bore, and a propellingl mechanism in said easing operated by said rotatable head and comprising a follower rod and. means for guiding one end ot said rod into eaid opening.

7. In a peueil, the eoniuinatiou with a eau ingr, et a rotatable head at one end thereo'l", a bushii'ip; titted into the other eiul et eaid easing adulpted to detachabljv reeeive a tip provided with an axial bote, a eouieal ueat in eaid buehiiu),l havingr aufr-ntral openinnI "n regietry with eaid bore, and a propelling.; ineehaniein in uuid eaeinpj eoinprluiun" a ulational guide tube., a ibllo'wer rod in; tube nlorabh, lnugritrulinalljgT tbrrein, iueaiui-n eooperatingg' with lSaid eouiral eeaft :tor guiding Said :rod iut-o eaid openinpj., an externally threaded eollar aeeured to uuid rod. and, mounted on eaid tube tor loin aulinal movenient thereon, means or pri tine; rotation ot' Said collar relatiiwilj, to aid raining; a member rotatable by Said head aiirreuiulingg said tube and adapted to ruieratively engage ea'id Collar, and meansl for preventing lonpi truliual movenient oit aaid nieniber.

8. In. a penoil, the eoiubinatimi with a eas ing, oit a rotataliile head at one end thereof, a tip at the other end and a priuiellingr nieehauiein in Sai d easing,r eouiprieiiur a guide tube, uleane iiuhuiemleut ot uuid tip 'ter holding said tube etationary, a follower rod loungitudinallv movable therein, a threaded collar aeeured to uuid. rod andv lonejitiidinally slidable on luuid. guide tube, mean u preventi ne' rotation ot uuid eollar relativi-iljvy to aaid tube, and a nieinber rotatable with Quid bead and adapted to operative eaid collar.

9. In a peneil. the eonibiuation with a raeingr, of a rotatable head at one end thereof, a detachable eloeure at the other ond luivinn; a central opening', and a prfujiellinp; nuiehanient in Said casino," Compris-anu: a leuir'le vube, moana irulependeut oil eaid. elo-aire for tenuring' said tube in eaid eaeingr. a Atolloufer rod, movable len; tudiuall;7 in said tube., means ttor guiding); uuid rod into eaid opening, an externally threiuled eollar eeeuriul to uuid red and elidable on eaid tube., moana in'eventiue rotation ot aaid Collar reh ely to uuid tube. and a member rotatable with aaid head and adapted to o]ier-atlively ennjagre eaid eollar.

10. In a pencil. the eouibinatioi'i `with a Case ini, of a rotatable bead at one end tlufrnot, a detaehable tip at the other end, a reinem able Cartridge in eaid tip provided with an axial bore, and a propelling nuudmnaiu in said easing; Comprising: a atationary guide tube, a follower rod movable lonpjitiidinally in Sai d tubo, .nieane tor e'uid'inu' aaid rod in Said tube, which means; oompriilie a buehinir at one end, of id rod elidablv 'littimil into Said tube and menne `tor guiding the other end of eaid rod into eaid axial bore.` a Collar eeeured to eaid red and al'idably mounted ou Said tube, external threads*` ou aaid collar, means preventin9,` rotation oi fr iid collar rel atively to said tube, and a tl. ded ii'ienfiber rotatable with ,raid head and adapted to engage the threade oi.1 said Collar.

1l. In a pencil, the Combination with a eas- CII ing, of a rotatable head at one end thereof, a tip at the other end provided with an axial bore, and a propelling mechanism in said casing comprising: a guide tube, means independent of said tip for holding said tube stationary, a follower rod longitudinally movable in said tube, means for guiding said rod in said tube and into .said axial bore, a collar secured to said rod and slidably mounted on said tube, means preventing rotation of said collar relatively to said tube, and a member rotatable with said head and adapted to engage said collar.

12. In a pencil, the combination with a casing, of a rotatable head at one end thereof, a closure at the other end having a central opening, a propelling mechanism operated by said rotatable head and including a follower rod as one of its elements, moans independent of said closure for securing said propelling mechanism in said Casin and means for guiding said follower ro into said centi-ul opening.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

CHARLES F. DOEBLER. 

